The black horse seemed momentarily stunned, its "hehe" laughter vanishing as its dark eyes fixed intently on Jiu Yue, its nostrils flaring slightly. Clearly, that slap had stirred its temper.
Shen Chuan was taken aback before belatedly explaining, "This horse is highly intelligent. The trainers at the stable have all tried to tame it, but every time, they’ve encountered its feigned lethargy. It took them a long time to realize it was all an act."
Jiu Yue rubbed her chin, her gaze unwavering as she locked eyes with the black horse.
"So, it really is a blood-sweating steed," Jiu Yue murmured, narrowing her eyes. "Which means no one’s managed to tame it yet?"
Shen Chuan nodded, then added, "If Your Highness wishes to try, perhaps I could demonstrate first?"
Jiu Yue agreed.
It was better to observe the basics first. This black horse was clearly a tough one.
So Jiu Yue and Fu Yan'an stepped back while Shen Chuan led the horse out. Strangely, the black horse had calmed again, offering no resistance as it was guided into the open field.
As they reached the wider expanse of the training grounds, Fu Yan'an glanced between the now-docile horse and the confident Shen Chuan, hesitating before finally saying, "Be careful. Falling from a horse is no joke—especially one this wild."
Shen Chuan nodded, then turned to Jiu Yue with a smile. "Your Highness, watch closely."
Jiu Yue nodded solemnly, eyes wide with anticipation.
Standing outside the fence, they watched as Shen Chuan patted the horse’s neck reassuringly, then stroked its forehead in a friendly manner. The black horse even responded, nuzzling his hand affectionately.
Jiu Yue understood. "So this is about building trust and lowering its guard, right?"
Fu Yan'an crossed his arms, offering no comment. Given what had just happened, he suspected the horse was up to no good.
Meanwhile, Shen Chuan placed his foot in the stirrup, preparing to mount.
But the black horse suddenly shifted its position.
Shen Chuan adjusted quickly and tried again.
The horse began pacing in place.
Several more attempts were thwarted, leaving Shen Chuan still unable to climb onto its back.
Jiu Yue blinked in surprise, and Fu Yan'an was about to speak when a rough, mocking laugh sounded behind them.
"With skills like that, you dare attempt to tame our Eastern Yue’s prized steed? How naïve."
They turned.
Jiu Yue’s eyes widened in recognition. "What are you doing here?"
Yue Ling, the Eastern Yue crown prince, brightened at her attention—only to freeze as she walked right past him, heading straight for the scowling figure behind him.
Her husband, Sima Qing.
Yue Ling: "..."
Sima Qing had returned to the Eastern Palace only to learn Jiu Yue was here, so he’d followed—only to run into Yue Ling along the way, souring his already foul mood. But seeing Jiu Yue stride toward him now, his stern expression softened slightly.
"Perfect timing," Jiu Yue said, pulling him aside and lowering her voice. "Your cousin happens to be here today. Didn’t you want to meet him?"
He glanced down at her hand gripping his, then suddenly smirked, tightening his hold in return.
As they passed Yue Ling, Sima Qing flashed him a harmless smile.
"I knew you’d remember what I said, Your Highness," he murmured—just loud enough for Yue Ling to hear.
Yue Ling: "..."
Jiu Yue: "..."
She frowned. "Are you alright?"
Sima Qing pressed a finger to his lips, then turned to Yue Ling with polite detachment. "Ah, Crown Prince Yue Ling. What a coincidence."
Jiu Yue tilted her head, finally recognizing him as the man who’d provoked her that night.
Yue Ling despised this so-called "husband," but when Jiu Yue looked his way, he bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness, do you remember me?"
Jiu Yue nodded. Representing Great Yan now, she refrained from retaliation and simply said, "Crown Prince, here for a ride as well? Make yourself at home."
"Indeed. Then we won’t disturb you further," Sima Qing said smoothly, steering Jiu Yue away.
Yue Ling: "..."
That insufferable man!
Back at the fence, Sima Qing studied the black horse still toying with Shen Chuan and said gently, "Be careful when you attempt to tame it later."
Jiu Yue nodded, and Sima Qing composed himself before joining Fu Yan'an.
Not to be outdone, Yue Ling hurried to Jiu Yue’s side and boomed, "Your Highness, have your injuries healed? Will riding be too strenuous?"
Jiu Yue, leaning on the fence as she watched Shen Chuan, replied absently, "Thank you for your concern, Crown Prince. I’ve recovered. But why haven’t you returned to Eastern Yue yet?"
Yue Ling coughed. "Your attack... it was partly my fault. I couldn’t leave with that weighing on me."
Jiu Yue’s eyes lit with approval. "So you do have a conscience."
Yue Ling fidgeted, torn between staring and avoiding her gaze, his hand occasionally rising to shield his face.
"Our envoys will return soon anyway," he mumbled. "I might as well stay for the hunting festival before heading back..."
"Unless... Your Highness doesn’t want me to leave..." His voice trailed off. "I could..."
A sudden, piercing whinny cut him off.
Inside the field, Shen Chuan had finally mounted—but the moment he pulled the reins, the black horse reared onto its hind legs, then abruptly kicked its back legs skyward, balancing precariously on its front hooves.
The horse rocked violently, bucking like a ship in a storm.
Jiu Yue gaped at Shen Chuan, now trapped on this equine seesaw. "What’s happening?!"
Yue Ling vaulted over the fence without hesitation.
"It’s throwing a tantrum. He needs to get down now, or he’ll be thrown and trampled," he shouted, sprinting toward the chaos.
Realizing the danger, Jiu Yue rushed in to help.
But Yue Ling yelled over his shoulder, "Your Highness, stay back! This horse is deadly when enraged. Keep the other trainers out too—no need for more casualties!"
Jiu Yue’s frown deepened—just as Shen Chuan lost his grip on the reins, hurling him into the air.
The black horse gleefully kicked its hooves high.
Yue Ling’s eyes widened in horror—but then a weight landed on his shoulder as a figure leaped over him, landing near the horse’s back in a flash. Jiu Yue snatched Shen Chuan midair and flung him toward Yue Ling.
Yue Ling, dazed, barely managed to catch Shen Chuan, the impact sending them both tumbling to the ground.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, scrambling up.
Shen Chuan, disheveled, immediately looked back at the horse.
Jiu Yue now stood atop the bucking steed, reins still loose in her hands.
"Your Highness! It’s too dangerous!" Shen Chuan shouted.
"Worry about yourself first..." Yue Ling's eyelids twitched as she quickly pulled Shen Chuan away from the scene. "If that horse charges at us, we'll both be done for."
